Environmentally-friendly, customizable consumer goods products

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to components of and methods of manufacture of environmentally-friendly, customizable consumer goods products. The invention disclosed herein relates to assembly features and methods involved with the manufacture of soft-good products as well as products incorporating soft-good materials with rigid structural materials to generate a product minimizing costly processes, chemicals, materials and/or shipping cost and the associated adverse environmental effects involved with production of consumer goods products using attachment features and interfaces. Embodiments of the attachment features and interfaces feature notches and mechanisms to affix discrete components to others through processes of interlocking with notches.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application62/082917, filed Nov. 21, 2014, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to environmentally-friendly, customizableconsumer goods products. The invention disclosed herein relates toassembly features and of soft-good products as well as productsincorporating soft-good materials with rigid structural materials togenerate a product minimizing costly processes, chemicals, materialsand/or shipping cost and the associated adverse environmental effectsinvolved with production of consumer goods products using attachmentfeatures and interfaces. Embodiments of the attachment features andinterfaces feature notches and mechanisms to affix discrete componentsto others through processes of interlocking with notches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ballooning demand for consumer products pervades the socialstructure of our society, driving economies and social identities. Asour society has grown, the consumer goods industry has evidencedcommensurate growth. Products associated with the consumer goodsindustry generally comprise flexible material, may further compriserigid materials, and typically use traditional manufacturing processes.

Such traditional manufacturing processes have generally proven effectivein the generation of large quantities of consumer goods products.However, a number of major problems remain associated with suchprocesses. Specifically, inefficiencies associated with traditionalmanufacturing processes have led to destructive environmental effects.Moreover, a variety of unnecessary costs remain associated with theproduction, distribution and sale of consumer goods products. As aresult, with the growth of the consumer goods market, the costsassociated with the ballooning market, including inefficiencies, wastestreams and adverse effects on the environment, have commensuratelygrown.

This increase in such inefficiencies, waste streams and adverse effectson the environment may manifest in many forms. For instance, such illdesired effects may show in the form of excess pre- and post-processwork involved with the manufacture of a given product. The manufactureof consumer goods items involving the use of non-rigid and flexiblematerials, sometimes incorporated with the use of rigid materials, leadsto such products as purses, handbags and totes.

Wastes and inefficiencies often accompany processes that combinenon-rigid, flexible materials with rigid materials. Such flexiblematerials may include textiles, leather and other organic and syntheticmaterials enabling use in soft-good products. It will be appreciatedthat as used herein, the term “soft-goods” refers to a type of productinvolving the use of flexible materials. It will be further appreciatedthat soft-goods materials, such as leather, exhibit a different ofsurface finish. As such, in association with soft-goods materials, theregenerally exists a preferred surface that remains generally visibleafter assembly and a non-preferred surface which remains generallyhidden after assembly.

The processes associated with the manufacture of goods typicallygenerate waste-streams associated with material waste, such as scrapmaterials, as well as material treatments used in traditionalmanufacturing methods. For instance, the manufacture of a leatherhandbag may require a number of work-intensive processes that generatematerial waste. These processes include skiving, cutting, sewing,gluing, painting and dying of material. Each of these processes, alongwith many others, generates material and/or chemical waste products.Furthermore, adhesive and dying processes often make use of chemicalsthat resultantly may introduce inorganic, non-biodegradable andpotentially hazardous compounds, creating a less environmentallyfriendly waste stream at the end of the usable life of such a product.

Many inefficiencies associated with a given industry derive fromstandards or commonly used methods of manufacture adopted prior togrowing concern associated with waste or rising labor costs. Today,these factors play a large part in the social and environmental impactassociated with a targeted consumer. However, such factors also play alarge part in the manufacturing and/or distribution cost of goods soldversus the price a consumer pays, thereby dictating the profit marginavailable to the selling entity.

Some items in the prior art use traditional processes of manufactureincluding skiving, gluing, sewing and flattening of the material. Itwill be appreciated that skiving is a process in which the material inuse, such as leather, is thinned in areas to enable the assembly of theedges or seams. Each process of manufacture requires a great deal oftime and work. Consumer goods known in the prior art generally utilizethese traditional manufacturing processes. Resultantly, such productsexhibit high costs associated with production, thereby limiting theselling entity's profit potential and furthermore driving a higher priceto the consumer without added value.

Often, items in the prior art use chemically intensive substances inprocesses associated with their manufacture, particularly when softgoods are involved. The problem with such chemically intensive processesis that glues, dyes and other chemical treatments involve toxicchemicals that are potentially damaging to the environment, users and/orthe personnel involved in the process.

Consumer goods generally require significant expenditures associatedwith the shipping and distribution of such products to the location ofsale to an end user. As the cost of shipping lightweight items such assoft goods derives from the overall dimensions, a smaller volumetricprofile requires less shipping cost for a given product. Given thevariation of sizes associated with consumer goods products, somesoft-goods present a very large shipping size as opposed to their actualweight. As a result, such products require an increased cost of shippingas a result of their large dimensions and the cost associated with thedistribution or shipping to the end user, leading to an increased priceto the end user. Some items in the prior art are so large that theshipping cost becomes a barrier to salability by driving price to alevel not in accordance with the value. Furthermore, the cost ofshipping increases with the size of the goods shipped also as a resultof the increased amount of packaging materials such as cardboard, fillermaterial and the like. This cost-related problem affects both theend-user as well as selling entities when the user cannot justify theprice, as the selling entity cannot generate profits without the sale ofgoods. Further, the increased volume of packaging materials needed leadto an increased level of waste and adverse environmental effects.

Yet another problem with items in the prior art is the limitation onform and aesthetic qualities post manufacture. Consumer goods productsgenerally provide a finished product produced by a series ofmanufacturing processes. The sub-processes related to such form andaesthetic qualities typically require execution prior to the permanentassembly and attachment of all parts integrated into a consumer goodsproduct. Thus, the modification of such qualities cannot be modifiedpost-manufacture. As a result, this problem limits the personalization,modification and add-on of additional features by the end user.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to environmentally-friendly, customizableconsumer goods products. The invention disclosed herein relates toassembly features involved with the manufacture of soft-good products aswell as products incorporating soft-good materials with rigid structuralmaterials to generate a product minimizing costly processes, chemicals,materials and/or shipping cost and the associated adverse environmentaleffects involved with production of consumer goods products usingattachment features and interfaces. Embodiments of the attachmentfeatures and interfaces feature notches and mechanisms to affix discretecomponents to others through processes of interlocking with notches.

Embodiments of the invention comprise at least one section of flexiblematerial with attachment features designed to accept a mating portion ofthe same or separate section of material of flexible, semi-flexible orrigid properties to create a predetermined form.

Certain embodiments of the invention 101 in the exemplary form of ahandbag. Embodiments provide assembly features allowing the productionand sale of soft-good products while minimizing manufacturing cost,distribution cost and use of costly/toxic chemicals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a product in the final form ofa handbag.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a product in the final form ofa carrier.

FIG. 3 depicts components associated with an embodiment of the inventionin the form of a handbag.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a product in the final form ofa handbag.

FIG. 5A describes the assembly step associated with an embodiment of theinvention of placing the first main body section 301 through apertures309.

FIG. 5B shows a top view describing the assembly step associated with anembodiment of the invention of pulling first main body section 301through apertures 309 in second main body section.

FIG. 5C shows a bottom view describing the assembly step associated withan embodiment of the invention of pulling first main body section 301through apertures 309 in second main body section.

FIG. 6A depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the folding of first main body section 301 and second main bodysection 302 as depicted by the curved dashed arrows.

FIG. 6B depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the folding of first main body section 301 and one side ofsecond main body section 302 as depicted by the curved dashed arrows.

FIG. 6C depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the folding of the winged edges of first main body section 301toward elements of second main body section 302 as depicted by thecurved dashed arrows.

FIG. 6D depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the folding of a second side of first main body section 301toward second main body section 302 as depicted by the curved dashedarrows.

FIG. 6E depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the folding of the winged edges of first main body section 301toward elements of second main body section 302 as depicted by thecurved dashed arrows.

FIG. 6F depicts the assembly associated with an embodiment after thesteps as depicted in FIG. 6A-FIG. 6E have been completed.

FIG. 7A depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the insertion of the tapered feature 314 of the strap 306 intoapertures in first main body section 301 and second main body section302.

FIG. 7B depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the further insertion of the tapered feature 314 of the strap306 into apertures in first main body section 301 and second main bodysection 302.

FIG. 7C depicts a step of an embodiment of the process described herein,namely, the still further insertion of the tapered feature 314 of thestrap 306 into apertures in first main body section 301 and second mainbody section 302.

FIG. 7D depicts the final assembly of an embodiment after the steps asdepicted in FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C have been completed.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an impartially constructed embodiment.

FIG. 9A depicts the strap 306, an aperture 308, a locking feature 313,and a tapered feature 314 in elongated form in a certain embodiment.

FIG. 9B depicts the directional path of the tapered feature, shown bythe dashed arrow, into the aperture 308 in an assembly step associatedwith a certain embodiment.

FIG. 9C depicts the progression of the assembly step described in FIG.9B associated with a certain embodiment.

FIG. 9D depicts the insertion of the strap through to the lockingmechanism 313 in a certain embodiment.

FIG. 10A depicts an assembly step associated with the insertion of theclasp section 305 and other features in a certain embodiment.

FIG. 10B depicts the path of closure followed by the toggle 312 into theclasp section 305 as depicted by the dashed arrow in a certainembodiment.

FIG. 10C depicts a view of the finalized form of a certain embodiment.

FIG. 11A depicts a frontal view of a certain embodiment comprising adrink carrier.

FIG. 11B depicts a side view of a certain embodiment comprising a drinkcarrier.

FIG. 11C depicts a top view of a certain embodiment comprising a drinkcarrier.

FIG. 12 depicts a first flexible material section 401 and secondflexible material section 402 of a certain embodiment comprising a drinkcarrier.

FIG. 13 depicts a first rigid material section 501 and a second rigidmaterial section 502 in a certain embodiment of the invention comprisinga drink carrier.

FIG. 14A depicts an assembly step associated with a certain embodimentof the invention of inserting a first flexible material section 401through apertures 405 in a second flexible material section 402 byfollowing the path depicted by the dashed arrow.

FIG. 14B the assembled component of a certain embodiment after the stepdepicted in FIG. 14A has been performed.

FIG. 15 depicts a portion of a first rigid material section 501 in acertain embodiment comprising a drink carrier.

FIG. 16A depicts elements of an embodiment of a drink carrier prior toassembly.

FIG. 16B depicts elements of an embodiment of a drink carrier prior toassembly.

FIG. 17A depicts elements of an embodiment of a drink carrier in anexploded view and an assembled view.

FIG. 17B depicts elements of an embodiment of a drink carrier in anexploded view and an assembled view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The inventive concept described herein provides a solution to problemsassociated with the utilization of commonly accepted manufacturingmethods in the production of consumer goods. Namely, such problemsinclude but are not limited to the negative environmental and economicimpact associated with the final form of consumer products as typicallymanufactured. Such negative environmental and economic impacts includebut are not limited to inefficient assembly processes, the generation ofexcess waste material, waste streams and inefficient logisticalprocesses associated therewith.

Embodiments of the invention include the steps and apparatusesassociated with use of fastening features within flexible and rigidbodies. These sections are assembled by inserting a distal end of onesection through the appropriate assembly feature. The sections affix andrestrain by location specific attachment strategies including notch,frictional retention, locking feature and tapered features furtherdescribed herein. The inventive concept also includes a method ofassembly using said fastening features to produce a final product usingflexible materials without the use of permanent and process-intensivetreatments and manufacturing processes, which otherwise would increasethe cost and environmental impact of a manufactured consumer product. Incertain embodiments embodiment of the invention 101 as shown in FIG. 1such fastening features are incorporated to enable assembly of aplurality of leather sections. Certain embodiments comprise sevenpredesigned sections of leather of thickness of 2.4 mm (0.098 inches).These sections consist of a first main body section 301, second mainbody section 302, clasp 305, two straps 306, first shoulder section 303and second shoulder section 304. The resultant assembly in certainembodiments comprises a soft-goods container with a shoulder strap.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one section of aflexible material exhibits at least one aperture through which a distalend of a flexible material section is inserted for frictional retentionor engagement of a locking feature and may be pulled to a desiredtension or orientation.

It will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that the term“section,” as used herein refers to a singular piece of materialcomprised of flexible, semi-rigid or rigid material.

It will be further appreciated by one skilled in the art that“frictional retention,” as used herein, refers to a frictionalinterface, including but not limited to, the interface between a portionof a flexible section and fastening feature, typically in the form of anaperture, designed to provide increased friction at the interface of theportion of material inserted within said aperture. A plurality ofapertures in serial or parallel, through which a distal end of theflexible section is inserted provides an increased level of friction.The level of friction can be increased through the increase of number ofapertures. Such frictional interfaces typically occur between twoportions of one flexible section, a plurality of flexible sections, orcombination of flexible and non-flexible sections.

Further still, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that theterm “locking feature,” includes the interface between at least twoportions of material, which may comprise at least two separate areas ofthe same flexible material, two separate flexible material sections or acombination of flexible and inflexible materials comprised of rigidand/or semi-rigid materials. Such an interface generally comprises of atleast one aperture and at least one distal end exhibiting a physicalfeature designed to constrain the connection. Said locking featuretypically is presented in a form with at least a minor dimension and amajor dimension. Said minor dimension, as referred to herein, istypically less than or equal to the length of the associated aperture.The major dimension is typically of equal or greater size than saidassociated aperture and provides added resistance and constraint to thelocking feature. The locking feature may take many forms including, butnot limited to, step, notch, and locking features.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that theterm “tapered feature”, as used herein, refers to the interface betweenat least two portions of material, which may comprise two separate areasof the same flexible material, two regions of separate flexible materialsections or a combination of flexible and materials comprising rigidand/or semi-rigid materials. Such interface typically comprises of atleast one aperture and one distal end with a minor dimension generallysmaller than the length of said aperture and a major dimension.Furthermore, such an assembly feature exhibits a taper between the minordimension and major dimension. Said major dimension may be less than,equal or greater than the length of an aperture dependent upon thepurpose of such a connection. A major dimension greater than thedimension of the associated aperture provides an increase of retentionwith an increased engagement dimension of said tapered feature. However,in the scenario where a major dimension is less than the dimension ofthe associated aperture provides ease of assembly. The present inventorhas recognized that the major dimension and the minor dimension may beutilized in a variety of contexts dependent upon the purpose of theapparatus related thereto.

The number of apertures utilized by an assembly feature may be increasedor decreased in varying embodiments to provide the desired amount offrictional retention. With an increase in the number of apertures, adistal end may pass through a plurality of apertures, typically weavingthe distal end through the plurality of apertures. Increased frictionalretention allows for increased levels of constraint at attachmentpoints.

In certain embodiments, a consumer goods apparatus comprises a pluralityof flexible sections exhibiting assembly features comprising at leastone frictional retention feature or at least one feature retentionconstruct to constrain the embodiment to a final form. In such anembodiment of the invention, a plurality of sections of flexiblematerial is assembled using assembly features comprising frictionalretention features. In such embodiments, the frictional retentionfeatures utilize a varying number of apertures in accordance with theholding strength required by each attachment dependent upon the purposeof the consumer goods apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, in certain embodiments, a clasp section 305 isconstrained by a series of two apertures 310, thereby creating a singleaperture. As shown in FIG. 4, a distal end of a first main body section301 utilizes the singular aperture created by the clasp to constrain theintegrated flap end of the first main body section 301 while allowingeasy removal by an end user. Another frictional retention feature in thepreferred embodiment of the invention incorporates three apertures toassemble the strap 306 to the distal ends of the first shoulder section303 and second shoulder section 304. The frictional retention feature inthe preferred embodiment affixes portions of a plurality of sections offlexible material to each other using four apertures 308 along thelateral portions of first main body section 301. Using these fourapertures in conjunction with a frictional retention feature, thissingular attachment feature brings together the first main body section301, second main body section 302 and the strap 306 sections.

Certain assembly features require an added level of constraint tomaintain coherence of the assembly and/or a particular orientation ofthe assembly. Some embodiments of the invention comprise at least onelocking feature and may be used in conjunction with Frictional Features.

In an embodiment of the invention, a locking feature is utilized toassemble two portions of material. Said locking feature is of the steptype restricting the passage of one portion of material through anaperture. In certain embodiments, the strap 306 sections incorporate twosuch locking features. At the first distal end, proximate to the firstshoulder section 303 and second shoulder section 304, the lockingfeature 307 utilized is of a step feature type. In an embodiment, thelength of the aperture exhibited by first shoulder section 303 andsecond shoulder section 304 is 21 mm and is designed to accept the 19 mmwidth of the strap 306. However, the major dimension of the strap 306 atsaid step locking feature 307 is 25.3 mm and cannot pass through theaperture of first shoulder section and second shoulder section, therebyconstraining it.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a locking feature isutilized to assemble two portions of rigid and/or flexible material.Said locking feature is of the notch type, generally constraining aportion of material within an aperture at a desired location. In thepreferred embodiment, the second distal end of the strap 306, comprisesflexible material, exhibits a notch type feature intended to addconstraint to the assembly of the first main body section 301, secondmain body section 302 and the strap 306. The strap 306 section providesconstraint after passage through apertures 308 incorporated into firstmain body section 301 and second main body section 302. The seconddistal end of said strap 306 exhibits a tapered feature 314, an aperture308 and a notch type locking feature 313. Said tapered feature exhibitsa minor dimension of 10 mm and major dimension of 15.7 mm in the certainembodiments. Said notch 313, as demonstrated by the preferredembodiment, exhibits a first major dimension, a second major dimensionand a minor dimension. Said first major dimension of 14.9 mm (0.58inches), is slightly larger than the length of the correspondingaperture 308, exhibited on the strap section 306, of 13.9 mm (0.55inches) through which the second distal end is passed, and the secondmajor dimension 15.7 mm (0.61 inches) in the preferred embodiment. Theminor dimension corresponding with said notch type locking feature 313is 13.0 mm (0.51), which is less than the length of said correspondingaperture 308. As demonstrated by FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C and FIG. 9C,in accordance with the method steps required to assemble the consumergoods apparatus using said notch locking feature 313, the second distalend of the strap is inserted through the corresponding aperture 308 ofthe locking feature 313. Although the first major dimension of thelocking feature is larger than the length of the corresponding aperture,the flexible material allows the assembler to pass the material through.Thus, the notch recess 313 comes to rest where engaged with the apertureand the portion of material is thereby constrained by first and secondmajor dimensions of the notch type locking feature 313.

The toggle-type locking feature may be used in the connection of aplurality of portions, generally a plurality of flexible materialportions or at least one flexible material portion and at least oneinflexible material portion. Such a locking feature utilizes at leastone toggle and at least one corresponding aperture. In the case ofassembly of a flexible section to a rigid section, the toggle typicallycomprises of rigid material and is designed with three discretedimensions; a major dimension, a minor dimension and an intermediatedimension. It will be appreciated that, as used herein, an intermediatedimension comprises material having a dimension greater than the minordimension and less than the major dimension. Furthermore, designconsiderations of said toggle, such as a chamfer, enable thecorresponding aperture's major dimension to be no larger than theintermediate dimension of said toggle while still enabling assembly.

In certain embodiments of the invention as demonstrated in FIG. 13, atoggle 504 comprises a rigid material section 501, further comprises amajor dimension 505, an intermediate dimension 507 and a minor dimension506. The associated aperture 403 exhibits a substantially rectangularshape as exhibited in flexible material section 401 as shown in FIG. 12.Said rectangular shape exhibits a width generally equal to or greaterthan the thickness of said rigid material comprising said toggle. Thelength of said 2 rectangular shape is generally equal to or greater thansaid intermediate dimension 507 and is generally less than said majordimension 505.

Flexible materials, particularly inelastic flexible materials, comprisesuch materials as leather and some high-density polyethylenes. Incertain embodiments of the invention, such inelastic flexible materials,such as material section 402 depicted in FIG. 12, feature an effectiveaperture length matching that of the intermediate dimension utilized insuch embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, the effectivelength of a substantially rectangular aperture as demonstrated byaperture 407 is increased through the use of an elongating feature 408.An elongating feature such as 408 may comprise a slit extending from adistal end of an aperture, thereby the length of said rectangularaperture 407 need not exceed that of the Minimum Dimension 506 of theassociated toggle 504.

Flexible materials, particularly elastic flexible materials, comprisesuch materials as felt and rubber. Such elastic flexible materials donot require an aperture length to be at least that of an intermediatedimension of an associated toggle, nor do they require the use ofelongating features. The effective length of an associated aperture maybe increased by stretching the material to effectively increase saidaperture to a length at least equal to that of the intermediatedimension of the associated toggle without permanent or plasticdeformation.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a materialexhibiting elastic properties is able to stretch or deform under a loadand substantially return to its original form when said tensile load nolonger acts upon it.

It will be further appreciated by one skilled in the art that a materialexhibiting inelastic properties may stretch or deform under a load,however such stretching or deformation is of the plastic sort and thematerial will damage or will not substantially return to its originalform when the load no longer acts upon it.

In certain embodiments of the invention as depicted by FIG. 2, aplurality of toggle features are utilized to assemble a plurality ofsections of flexible inelastic material and rigid sections. As shown inFIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, flexible inelasticsections 401, 402 of thickness 2.4 mm (0.094 inches) and interlockedrigid sections 501 and 502 of material of thickness 6 mm are assembledto construct a predetermined form. Said plurality of sections of rigidmaterial are preassembled using halved joints 503.

It will be appreciated that the term “halved joint,” as used herein,refers to a joint between two members that are joined by removingmaterial from each member at the point of intersection allowing them tooverlap a predetermined amount.

Said halved joint enable the assembly of rigid sections 502 to 501 in anorthogonal orientation. Said flexible material exhibits a plurality ofportions to assemble to each toggle feature 504. In this embodiment, aportion of rigid material comprises a toggle 504 that exhibits a majordimension 505 of 41.6 mm (1.64 inches), an intermediate dimension 507 of39.2 mm (1.54 inches) and a minor dimension 506 of 31.7 mm (1.25 inches)of width 7.2 mm (0.28 inches). The width of said toggle 504 in thisparticular embodiment enables the assembly of a plurality of portions offlexible 401 and 402 to said toggle 504 using a plurality of associatedapertures 403 and 407. Said associated apertures may differ indimension, however in this specific embodiment are of identicaldimension. The associated apertures 407 comprise a substantiallyrectangular shape with an elongating feature 408 at one end of saidaperture. The width of said rectangular shape matches the thickness ofsaid rigid material, 6 mm. The length of said rectangular shape of saidaperture is 34.8 mm (1.37 inches). A distal end of each rectangularaperture 407 exhibits an elongating feature 408 comprised of a slitterminating in a cut-out of substantially radial shape. Said elongatingfeature comprises a slit of length 5.8 mm (0.23 inches) and 0.75 mmwidth (0.03 inches), which terminates at a substantially radial shape ofradius 1.5 mm concentric to the termination of said slit, exhibiting a6.5 mm (0.26 inches) total length. Thus, the effective assembly majordimension of said aperture is 41.3 mm (1.62 inches) in the embodiment ofthe invention described in this paragraph.

Interior angles of cuts, particularly those of 90 degrees or less, areprone to unwanted tearing when manipulated or have load applied. It willbe appreciated by one skilled in the art, in the use of flexiblematerials, a stress-relief feature as shown in FIG. 3 in the form of aradial termination 315 provides a decrease in stress concentrations andprevents unwanted tearing of material particularly at interior angles ofa cut. Furthermore, apertures may be used in medial areas of a sectionof material to decrease stiffness inherent in the material used. Asshown in FIG. 11, said stress-relief apertures 404 provide stress reliefto enable ease of bending and furthermore may be utilized to guideassembly and intended points of folding.

In certain embodiments, a locking feature and frictional retentionfeature provide added constraint in the assembly of a plurality ofportions of flexible material. In such embodiments, the toggle of saidportion exhibits a major dimension and a minor dimension. Thecorresponding aperture exhibits a length and a width. The width of saidcorresponding aperture allows the passage of the material thicknesswhile providing increased frictional retention. Furthermore, the lengthof said corresponding aperture is larger than the minor dimension ofsaid toggle. The major dimension of said toggle is larger than thelength of said corresponding aperture. In this embodiment the majordimension and minor dimension share a perpendicular transverse axispassing through their midpoints. Due to properties inherent to theflexible material, such as thickness, length or Young's Modulus, used inthe construction of said toggle particularly ability to manipulate thematerial without damage, one distal end of said toggle can be passedthrough said corresponding aperture and subsequently manipulating theopposite distal end of said toggle by folding and/or bending actions topass the remaining portion of said toggle through said correspondingaperture, thusly constraining the toggle to said corresponding aperture.In the certain embodiments, the flexible material thickness of 2.4 mm(0.94 inches) thickness and said toggle 312 demonstrates a majordimension of 20.3 mm (0.8 inches) and a minor dimension of 10.0 mm (0.39inches). Furthermore, said corresponding apertures 310 exhibit a widthof 1.8 mm (0.07 inches) and a length of 11.8 mm (0.46 inches). Due tothe flexible nature of the material used, leather in certain embodimentsseen in element 101, the distal ends of said toggle 312 can bemanipulated to pass through said corresponding aperture 310 for aconstrained connection.

In certain embodiments of the invention comprising a plurality of rigidsections are assembled on coordination with at least one section offlexible material enabled by the use of toggles, halved joints and/oraperture features resulting in an assembled form. Such assembled formcomprises a carrying apparatus typically used for the transportation ofliquid containers.

In certain embodiments, as seen in FIG. 15, a main rigid section 601further exhibits halved joints 503 enabling the assembly of other rigidsections exhibiting halved joints. These halved joints 503 can be placedat any interior or exterior edge, but typically symmetrically about themedial plane at the inferior or lateral edges. A plurality of, typicallytwo, base rigid sections 602 exhibit halved joints 503 and toggles 504wherein the halved joints 503 mate with the halved joints 503 in theinferior edge of the main rigid section 601 enabling engagement with themain rigid section 601 providing a typically orthogonal engagement.Furthermore, a plurality of rigid sections, typically two, side rigidsections 603 exhibit toggles 504 and halved joints 503, wherein thehalved joints 503 of the side rigid sections 603 mate with the halvedjoints 503 in the lateral edges of the main rigid section 601 and enablethe engagement of the main rigid section 601 providing a typicallyorthogonal engagement. When the main rigid section 601, base rigidsections 602 and side rigid sections 603 are assembled using the halvedjoints 503, the nesting toggles 604 of the side rigid sections 603 alignwith the toggles 504 of the base rigid sections 602 by nesting inrecesses 606 of the base rigid sections 602. Furthermore, tab features604 may be used in conjunction with apertures 605 to provide additionalnesting and constraining mating features between the side rigidstructures 603 and the base rigid structures 603. The alignment of aplurality of toggles creates a singular combined toggle 701 as shown inFIGS. 16A and 16B for the affixing of at least one flexible member 610further comprising at least one aperture 612, but typically a pluralityof apertures 612 exhibited at distal ends of the flexible member 610.The affixing of this flexible member 610 to the combined toggles 701,constrains the base rigid section 602 to the associated side rigidsection 603 and constraining the base rigid section 602, the side rigidsection 603 and main rigid section 601 together. A plurality ofapertures 612 at each distal end of the flexible member 610 enables theconstraint of multiple sets of side rigid sections 603 and base rigidsections 602 to be constrained independently of each other. The flexiblemember 610 attached to at least one toggle 504 or combined toggle 701may then be used to span to another toggle 504, typically traversingacross the base further supporting the base segments and traversing thefrontal plane defined by the main rigid section. In doing so theattachment to multiple toggles 504 places the flexible member in tensionfurther constraining it and ensuring against unintentional removal ofthe flexible member 610. Furthermore, when the flexible member 610exhibits a width matching or larger than the space separating aplurality of rigid sections, such as the base rigid sections, theflexible member when aligned with such rigid sections provides ancompartment 702 as shown in FIGS. 17A and FIG. 17B allowing the storageof additional items.

In certain embodiments the side rigid sections 603 further compriseapertures 703 sized according to a predetermined object allowing a userto place the object, typically of a round tapered form, such as abeverage cup 704 within an aperture 703. In such an embodiment, whenplaced within the aperture 703, the beverage cup 704 is constrainedwithin aperture 704. This allows a user to constrain a plurality ofobjects, such as beverage containers within the apparatus and carry theobjects using the carrying apparatus.

In certain embodiments, as demonstrated by FIGS. 16A, 16B, 17A and 17B,a singular toggle at the top of a rigid section, typically a main rigidsection, in conjunction with an aperture enables the use of a flexiblesection 611 exhibiting at least two apertures 612, elongated slits 613or a combination thereof at the distal ends to attach to the singulartoggle 504 as shown on the main rigid section 601 in FIG. 15, wrapthrough an aperture 608 and attach again to the same toggle 504. Thiscreates a feature useful as a carrying handle amongst other purposesintending to increase the profile or surface area of a rigid section.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a tapered feature is used inconjunction with a frictional retention assembly feature to connect twosections of flexible material. Said first section comprises a frictionalretention feature further comprising two apertures. Said second sectionof flexible material comprises of a frictional retention featurecorresponding with said apertures, which exhibits at least one minordimension less than the length of said apertures and at least one majordimension greater than the length of said apertures. Between said minordimension and said major dimension, said portions of said section offlexible material exhibits a tapered feature.

Said second section of flexible material, in use, is passed through bothapertures of the said first section of flexible material generally witha weaving configuration. It will be appreciated that the term “weaving,”as used herein, refers to the path a material takes through a series ofapertures, generally in an alternating sequence, passing through to theopposite side of the material being woven through. Some manipulation maybe required to pass one of the distal ends of said second section offlexible material through said apertures to engage the tapered featurewith said frictional retention feature. In the preferred embodiment,said tapered feature is exhibited at a medial portion creating a waistin the width of first main body section 301 and said apertures 309 areof an elongated form exhibited on a medial portion of second main bodysection 302. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that asused herein, the term “waist” refers to minor dimension created thenarrowing of surrounding material from both sides. Both first main bodysection 301 and second main body section 302 are comprised of asubstantially consistent thickness of leather of at least 2.4 mm. Saidapertures 309 exhibit a length of 153.5 mm (6.04 inches) and a width of2 mm (0.08 inches) and are substantially parallel offset 21.4 mm (0.84inches) from each other. first main body section 301 exhibits two minordimensions and two major dimensions comprising said waist. Said minordimensions are equal in size and substantially parallel approximately21.4 mm (0.84 inches) apart to match the spacing between said apertures309. Furthermore, said major dimensions are equal in size. As shown inFIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, during assembly, a distal end of firstmain body section 301 is manipulated to pass through said apertures 309in a weaving configuration and pulled to center said waist concurrentwith said apertures 309 incorporating said frictional retention feature.Once assembled in such a configuration, first main body section 301 andsecond main body section 302 are constrained to such configurationthrough the use of said frictional retention feature as well as saidtapered feature comprising the waist.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one aperture isused in conjunction with a combination of a tapered feature and alocking feature to provide variable levels of retention. This retentionoccurs between a plurality of portions of material and typicallyinvolves at least one portion of flexible material. In this embodiment,a portion of flexible material comprised of a distal end of a section offlexible material exhibits a tapered feature and further comprises astep-type locking feature. A separate portion of material exhibits acorresponding aperture sized accordingly. Said step-type Locking featuregenerally exhibits a major dimension approximately equal to length ofsaid aperture and said tapered feature exhibits a major dimension lessthan the length of said aperture.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the combination of a taperedfeature and a locking feature exhibited by a distal end of first mainbody section is designed for insertion and retention within an apertureformed by the attachment of the clasp section to the first main bodysection. In certain embodiments, said clasp section assembles to firstmain body section creating an aperture through with said distal end isdesigned to pass through. Said aperture in said preferred embodimentexhibits a length of 18.2 mm (0.72 inches). Said distal end of firstmain body section exhibits a major dimension of 17.8 mm (0.7 inches) anda minor dimension of 14.2 mm (0.56 inches) with a taper between.Furthermore, said distal end exhibits a taper extending from said majordimension to the terminus of said distal end comprised of a point. Saidtaper and step-type locking feature allows the user to insert saiddistal end into said aperture, providing enhanced retention while stillallowing for disassembly without the need for material manipulation.

Certain embodiments comprise seven predesigned sections of leather ofthickness of 2.4 mm (0.098 inches) assembled to comprise a predeterminedform, though it will be appreciated that other embodiments of theinvention can comprise a varying number of

sections of leather of various thicknesses. Such sections consist of afirst main body section 301, second main body section 302, clasp 305,two strap sections 306, first shoulder section 303 and second shouldersection 304. Such sections are assembled by inserting a distal end ofone section through the appropriate assembly feature. Such sections arerestrained by location specific attachment strategies including notch,frictional retention, locking feature and tapered features.

A variety of steps would be taken by an assembler of a consumer goodsapparatus comprising an embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 5A,FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C. The assembler would orient the leather sections offirst main body section 301 and second main body section 302 with thesmooth side down and insert a distal end of first main body section 301downward though the first elongated aperture 309 in second main bodysection and weave back up though the second elongated aperture 309 untilthe assembly feature utilizing frictional retention and a lockingfeature is configured as intended as shown in FIG. 5C. The clasp section305 would then be assembled to the corresponding clasp apertures onfirst main body section 301 by manipulating the toggles of the claspsection 305 to pass though said corresponding clasp apertures 310. Theassembler would then assemble first shoulder section 303, secondshoulder section 304 and the two strap sections 306. The assembly ofwhich is preferably performed passing second shoulder section 304through the medial apertures 308 of first shoulder section 303.Following the Assembly of the first shoulder section 303 and secondshoulder section 304, the apertures 308 incorporated into the secondshoulder section 304 align with the intermediate apertures 308incorporated into the first shoulder section 303. Then the assembler mayassemble the strap 306 sections to the distal ends of the shouldersection assembly, comprised of first shoulder section 303 and secondshoulder section 304, by inserting the tapered distal end of the strap306 through both apertures 308 of the assembly, beginning from thenon-preferred surface of the leather and weaving through the secondaperture 308 at the distal end of first shoulder section 303. By pullingon the second distal end of the strap 306, the assembler pulls theentire or close to the entire length of the strap 306 through theapertures engaging the step-type locking features 307 at the firstdistal end of the strap 306. The assembler then passes the second distalend of said strap 306 section through associated apertures 308 on thefirst main body section 301 and second main body section 302 assemblies.These apertures are folded and aligned per FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C,FIG. 6D, FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F prior to passing the strap 306 through theseries of aligned apertures 308 as shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7Cand FIG. 7D. Once the assembler passes said second distal end of saidstrap 306 through the final aperture, leaving the second distal end onthe interior side of the first main body section/second main bodysection assembly, the assembler passes second distal end of said strap306 section through the associated aperture 308 proximate to said seconddistal end of said strap 306 section engaging the notch-type lockingfeature 313. The assembler then repeats the steps described aboverelated to the strap 306 assembly steps involving first shoulder section303, second shoulder section 304, first main body section 301 and secondmain body section 302. Upon final assembly the tapered feature withlocking feature at the distal end of first main body section can beinserted into the aperture created by the clasp 305 section adjoined tofirst main body section 301 to secure the distal end of first main bodysection 301 comprising a tapered feature 312 and a step type lockingfeature 311 as a cover-flap.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings. The descriptivelabels associated with the numerical references in the figures areintended to merely illustrate embodiments of the invention, and are inno way intended to limit the invention to the scope of the descriptivelabels.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrying apparatus comprising: a first rigidsection having a halved joint in the bottom edge and a halved joint on alateral edge; a second rigid section defining a base portion, saidsecond rigid section having a halved joint in the top edge and a togglefeature at distal top corners defining a base portion; a third rigidsection defining a first side portion, said third rigid section having ahalved joint in the inward facing edge and a plurality of togglefeatures at the corners of the outward facing edge; a fourth rigidsection defining a second side portion, said fourth rigid section havinga halved joint in the inward facing edge and a plurality of togglefeatures at the corners of the outward facing edge; a flexible sectionhaving an aperture at each distal end; said halved joint in said secondrigid section slidably mating with said halved joint in the bottom edgeof said first rigid section; said halved joints in said third and fourthrigid sections slidably mating with said halved joints in said lateraledges of said first rigid section thereby placing the toggle features ofsaid second rigid section and said third rigid section and said fourthrigid section in close proximity; wherein said apertures of saidflexible section are placed over the plurality of said toggle featuresat the distal ends of said third and fourth side rigid sections and saidsecond rigid sections thereby constraining said third and fourthsections, said second rigid section and said first rigid sectionstogether.
 2. The carrying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base portioncomprises two rigid sections.
 3. The carrying apparatus of claim 2wherein said base portion further comprises a recess adjacent to saidtoggle features matching the thickness of said side portions; whereinthe engagement of said base portion with said halved joint in the bottomedge of said main rigid section results in said recess aligning withsaid side rigid sections when engaged with said halved joints in thelateral edges of said main rigid section; said recess receiving thetoggle features of said side rigid sections mates within said recesscreating a combined toggle feature thereby allowing a singular apertureof said flexible section to constrain a plurality of toggle featuressimultaneously.
 4. The carrying apparatus of claim 2 wherein the lengthof said flexible section allows the constraint of the plurality oftoggles of said side portions and said base portion by traversing thelength of said base portion between said toggles.
 5. The carryingapparatus of claim 2 wherein said base portion further comprises a slotoffset from said halved joint in said base portion; wherein said slothas a height measuring at least the thickness of said side rigidsection; said side rigid section comprising a tab feature having alength less than or equal to the measurement of said slot; wherein theengagement of said base portion with said halved joint in said bottomedge of said first rigid section results in said slot aligning with saidapertures in said base rigid section, thereby disposing said tab featurewithin said aperture.
 6. The carrying apparatus of claim 4 wherein thewidth of said flexible section is at least equal to the measurement of aspace located between said rigid sections of said base portion therebycreating an open compartment.
 7. The carrying apparatus of claim 1wherein said side portions further comprise apertures with apredetermined diameter to accommodate an object having a minor diameterand a major diameter.
 8. The carrying apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidfirst rigid section further comprises an opening proximal to the topedge.
 9. The carrying apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a handleproximal to the top edge of the first rigid section.